Litchfield school community focuses on student safety

Published 12:00 am, Monday, January 14, 2013

DANIELA FORTE/Register Citizen
Litchfield Superintendent of Schools Deborah Wheeler speaks during a community forum on school safety.

DANIELA FORTE/Register Citizen
Litchfield Superintendent of Schools Deborah Wheeler speaks during a community forum on school safety.

Litchfield school community focuses on student safety

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LITCHFIELD >> A month after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, the Litchfield education officials held a forum for residents and parents on safety in the public school district.

More than 50 residents attended the forum and listened to law enforcement, school and town officials talk about the current protocols and how the district is improving safety procedures.

Some measures being undertaken include expanded fire drill procedures, changes to lockdown drills, evaluating communication protocols, and increased patrolling of school property by law enforcement.

Superintendent Dr. Deborah Wheeler told parents and residents that district officials are working to ensure that there's a clear line of sight around the three public schools--Center School, Litchfield Intermediate School and Litchfield High School--and clearing shrubbery and taking additional steps where necessary.

The district's discussions with local law enforcement that could include sweeps of the schools, the audience was told, but there hasn't been a discussion about putting officers in the schools.

Security cameras will cover more areas in the buildings, and the district will be taking a look at existing camera system.

Residents' questions centered on the lockdown procedures, and the doors in the district facilities were a topic of concern, specifically concerning plans to replace doors at Litchfield Center School.

There were concerns expressed regarding the glass windows in the Litchfield Intermediate School cafeteria.

Areas of improvement are to include changes to the school environment, and to emergency and safety procedures. There will be a review and revision of existing policies, along with the implementation of new policies.

Dr. Wheeler told residents and parents that the conversation is an ongoing one, and that the Board of Education will continue to work closely with the town.

"School safety is a community issue," said Dr. Wheeler. "This will be a conversation that occurs over a long period of time."